Sylvain Guintoli claimed his maiden World Superbike Championship by just six points with an impressive double win at the season ending round at Qatar.

The Frenchman headed into the final round 12 points in arrears to reigning world champion Tom Sykes but he proved to be unstoppable at the Losail circuit.

Starting from pole position, Guintoli found himself in the lead group at the start of race one which was initially headed by Pata Honda’s Jonathan Rea.

But it didn’t take long for Guintoli to power to the front with Kawasaki’s Loris Baz in hot pursuit along with a train of six riders split by less than a second.

Championship leader Sykes had held third position but he soon slipped behind Guintoli’s team-mate Marco Melandri to the delight of the Aprilia garage.

Guintoli and Baz continued to battle at the front before the Frenchman made a decisive move on lap 14 which he held until the chequered flag.

Baz came home in second while Sykes fought back to claim third leaving just three points separating the top two in the title race.

Rea held on to fourth spot in front of Ducati’s Davide Giugliano.

The final race of the season began with drama after Pata Honda’s Leon Haslam and Kawasaki’s Baz made contact at the opening turn.

The incident allowed Sykes to surge into an early lead before he fell behind a hard charging Rea.

However, once into his rhythm Guintoli produced the ride of a champion as he fought his way to the front where he remained at the chequered flag to secure a maiden world title.

Rea just edged outgoing champion Sykes to finish second while Melandri finished fourth ahead of Ducati’s Chaz Davies.

Australia’s Bryan Staring claimed third in the EVO class behind David Salom and Niccolo Canepa.